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What Do Penguin Keepers do on Summer Break? Help Rescue Penguins, of
Course
Experts travel to South Africa in collaborative effort to save a declining species
July 29, 2016 -- Last week, U.S. experts from SeaWorld and the Maryland Zoo traveled
to South Africa to help study endangered African penguins with the goal of tagging and tracking
10% of the wild population and 100% of all rescued, rehabilitated and released penguins. This
work is part of one of eight projects included in the SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction
African Penguin Conservation Action Plan and supports the critical conservation needs identified
in a well-established African Penguin Biodiversity Management Plan. SAFE, developed by the
Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) introduces a new collaborative conservation
approach that combines the power of more than 183 million annual AZA-accredited zoo and
aquarium visitors with the resources and collective expertise of AZA members, and partners, to
save animals from extinction.
The timing is critical because May through July is prime penguin nesting season. Tagged
penguins will provide important data to determine the most effective ways to manage breeding
colonies and implement conservation measures to benefit the declining population.
The Problem
African penguins defy the typical vision of penguins surrounded by snow and ice. As
their name implies, they are acclimated to the warmer climates off the coast and islands of
southern Africa. But living in less harsh weather conditions doesn’t mean life is easy for this
declining species. In 1956, the population of African penguin was estimated at 141,000 pairs. By
2009, the number of pairs had decreased by 60% to 25,262 with only 28 colonies remaining.
Scientists project an additional decrease of 17-51% over the next 20 years.
Human disturbance and egg-collecting have contributed significantly to the species'
decline. Guano collection (guano is a highly effective fertilizer) have deprived penguins of their
natural nest-burrowing sites, causing them to nest on open ground where they are vulnerable to
heat stress, flooding, and predation. Mortality from oil spills is significant.
Scientists agree that the best way to approach a study of this difficult topic is to insert
passive integrated transponders (a.k.a., PIT tags) under the skin of birds in different breeding
colonies and track their movements using hand-held tag readers and passive readers hidden on
the ground. These small tags are the same ones used for domestic dogs and cats, and allows
scientists to gain a better understanding of African penguin longevity, reintroduction survival
rates, nest and natal site fidelity, mate fidelity, inter-colony movement patterns, and many other
important metrics. This critically important data is much-needed to inform effective management
decisions in penguin breeding colonies.
What’s being done to help?
The South African government agencies, including the Department of Environmental
Affairs and CapeNature, continue to work with various African penguin rehabilitation facilities
such as the South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) and
the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary, as well as with AZA- accredited zoos and aquariums
to reverse the decline of the African penguin population through a variety of efforts, including
the rescue, rehabilitation and release of ill, injured, abandoned and oiled birds. Penguin experts
from SeaWorld and the Maryland Zoo are now working alongside these partners to tag birds on
the key breeding grounds of Robben Island, Dyer Island and Stony Point, South Africa. In
addition to tagging, researchers are assisting with artificial nest management and beach cleanups. Penguins spend a lot of their time in the water foraging for sardines, anchovies and other
prey and marine debris can be mistaken for food, pollute the waters and snare seabirds in nets,
hooks and fishing line.
The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund (SWBGCF) has long supported the
work of SANCCOB, both financially and on the ground in their conservation work. In addition,
the Newport (Kentucky) Aquarium is coordinating the SAFE African Penguin Tagging Program.
There are 50 AZA member zoos and aquariums that house African penguins, providing
critical first-hand experience with the species that can be translated to field work. With their
experience and help, the AZA SAFE African penguin project will send more teams of penguin
th
experts into the field in 2017. The current team in South Africa will return home on August 4 .
About SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
SeaWorld Parks & EntertainmentTM is a leading theme park and entertainment company
providing experiences that matter and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of
our world. The company is one of the world’s foremost zoological organizations and a global
leader in animal welfare, training, husbandry and veterinary care. The company collectively
cares for what it believes is one of the largest zoological collections in the world and has helped
lead advances in the care of animals. The company also rescues and rehabilitates marine and
terrestrial animals that are ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned – more than 28,000 over the last
50 years - with the goal of returning them to the wild. For more information visit
SeaWorldCares.com
About The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Founded in 1876, The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is the third oldest zoo in the United States and
is internationally known for its contributions in conservation and research. More than 1,500
animals are represented in the Zoo’s varied natural habitat exhibits in areas such as Penguin
Coast, Polar Bear Watch, the Maryland Wilderness, African Journey and the award-winning
Children’s Zoo. Situated in Druid Hill Park, the Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos &
Aquariums. For more information, visit www.marylandzoo.org.
About AZA
Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated
to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare,
education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums
in the United States and eight other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever
you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to
providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living
things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world.
To learn more, visit aza.org.
About SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction
SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction combines the power of zoo and aquarium visitors with
the resources and collective expertise of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and partners to
save animals from extinction. Together we are working on saving the most vulnerable wildlife
species from extinction and protecting them for future generations. To learn more, visit
AZAsavingspecies.org.
About Ric Urban, Chief Conservation Officer, Newport Aquarium
In April, 2016, Ric became the Project Coordinator for the AZA SAFE African Penguin
Individual Identification Program. Working with project collaborators in South Africa, AZA
Institutions and AZA Staff, Ric is the primary contact in organizing the materials, staff and
implementation of the African Penguin Conservation Action Plan. Ric also holds a seat on the
AZA African Penguin Species Survival Plan (SSP) and Penguin Taxon Advisory Group (TAG)
Steering Committees. For more information, contact [email protected]